Therefore, I dedicate this small effort to all my contemporaries and friends who value history. Enjoy it and happy reading.

"Ithnasheri Jaher Thaya"

some 72 years ago

by U.K. Bhai Peera, Chino Hills, California

The following notice appeared in Mumbai Samachar August 9, 1926. Haji Naji, Rahmutullahi Alaih, of Rah-e-Najaat reprinted the list on 1st Rabi-Thani, 1345. Copy of original document in Gujrati is available at a cost of five dollars.

We, the undersigned notify that at our own accord we have resigned from Khoja Shia Ismaili (Agakhani) Jamaat and have accepted Shia Ithna-Asheri faith preached and followed by our great grandfathers.

1. Jafferbhai Bandali

2. Chaganbhai Najarali

3. Meherali Kassam Manji Rangoonwala

4. Mohamedali Gulamhussein Gowa

5. Hassan Alibhai Nasser

6. Nazaralibhai Kara Moti

7. Karimbhai Hassam Dharsi

8. Sheralibhai Bandali Hassam

9. Gulamhusseibhai Nanji Jiwa

10. Fajalbhai Janmohamed Merali

11. Dhanjibhai Karim Hameer

12. Hassanalibhai Noormohamed Karim

13. Alimamadbhai Manji Karim

14. Kassambhai Versi Nensi

15. Peerabhai Champsibhai

16. Walimohamedbhai Nanji Khoda

17. Mohamedali Haji Hassam Haji Dhala

18. Bachubhai Khanmohamed Remtalla

19. Kermalibhai Dostmohamed Hassam

20. Alibhai Ibram Merali

21. Husseinalibhai Bhimji Hassam

22. Fejlabhai Gangji Mawji

23. Yusufalibhai Kermalli Remtalla

24. Gulamhusseinbhai Salehmohamed -

- Rahemtulla Kassam Chatoo

25. Weljibhai Alana Walji

26. Ladhabhai Hasambhai Karim

27. Banda-Alibhai Haji Jivraj Megji

28. Dr. Mohamedalibhai Ebrahim Kanji

29. Gulamalibhai Karim Jaffer

30. Alibhai Suleman Megji Jamal

31. Gulalibhai Dungersi Virji

32. Rahimbhai Maganbhai Motibhai

33. Waljibhai Alarakhia Rahim

34. Abdulhusseinbhai Gulamhussein Bhimji

35. Kassambhai Bhimji Manji

36. Jafferbahi Ganda Pola

37. Jafferbhai Rahimbhai

38. Mohamedbhai Wali Dharsi

39. Sabjali Virjibhai Ramji

40. Gulamhussein Ebrahim Janmohamed Chinai

41. Gulamhussein Mulla Abdalla Saleh

42. Gulamali Abdalla Sharif

43. Janmohamedbhai Datoobhai Khakoo

44. Abdullabhai Babulbhai

45. Abdulhussein Normohamed Wajir

46. Kassamalibhai Abdalla Sharif

47. Mohamedbhai Sachedina Kalyan

48. Gulamhusseinbhai Haji Jivraj

49. Aladinbhai Mamad Gulamhussein

50. Dawoodbhai Suleman Talbaani

51. Gulamhusseinbhai Ladak Rahim

52. Alibhai Khimji Mamad

53. Abdulrasul Tarmamd Haji Padamsi

54. Walimamad Ladha Lakhani

55. Fakirmamdbhai Ebrahim Manji

56. Jerajbhai Sivji Damji

57. Jivrajbhai Datoo Merali

58. Gulamhusseinbhai Kanji Ravji

59. Hassanalibhai Jaffer Karim

60. Alimamadbhai Hassanali Kassam

61. Najaralibhai Lavji Lalji

62. Issabhai Alimamad Megji Gangji

63. Abdulhusseinbhai Mamad Jessa

64. Salehmamadbhai Lalji Dhanji

65. Ahmedbhai Nathoobhai Mamand

66. Sheralibhai Saburbhai Premji

67. Gulamhusseinbhai Ismal Kalyan

68. Mohamedbhai Haji Abdalla Hassam

69. Sulemanbhai Karim Walji

70. Haji Mohamedhussein Rajabali Kanji Mukhi

71. Pirbhai Daya Dharamsi

72. Dhanjibhai Alibhai Kasam Hemani

73. Mohamedalibhai Gulamhussein Kanji

74. Walimamdbhai Samji Dewji

75. Sulemanbhai Noormamad Jina

76. Haiderali Gulamhussein Bandali Ibrahim

77. Samjibhai Walji Dewji

78. Gulamhusseinbhai Jaffer Dewji

79. Jafferalibhai Pirbhai Mitha

80. Gulamhusseinbhai Ismal Alloo

81. Sheth Aladinbhai Remtalla Janmamad

82. Alibhai Pitambar

83. Mohamedalibhai Murji

84 Nasserbhai Khamisa Mamad Bhagat

85. Rajabali Kasam Hasam

86. Kassamalibhai Manji Karim Chaiwara

87. Ahmedbhai Ibrahim

88. Meralibhai Sajan

89. Abdulrahimbhai Mawji Alarakhia

90. Meralibhai Poladama

91. Yusufalibhai Moledinabhai Lalji

92. Abdulhusseinbhai Nanji Janoobhai

93. Ahmedbhai Ibrahim Nathoo

94. Mohamedalibhai Babul Kanji

95. Fidahusseinbhai Babul Kurji

96. Mohamedbhai Ladha Ranmal

97. Gulamhusseinbhai Kassam Nathoo

98. Mohamedalibhai Pardhan Manji

99. Rajabalibhai Kermali Premji

100 Mohamedalibhai Kermali Premji

101 Kurjibhai Punja Jassa

102 Sultanalibhai Ismail Janmohamed

103 Amadbhai Kassam Hemani

104 Sharifbhai Chagan

105 Walimamdbhai Anandji Visram

106 Fajalbhai Poladama

107 Akberalibhai Remtalla Kheraj

108 Najaralibhai Walji Hemraj

109 Virjibhai Walji Jiwa

110 Gulamhussein Suleman Mamad Samji

111 Meheralibhai Moosa Rangoonwala

112 Fajalbhai Samji Megji

113 Mohamedalibhai Manji Samji

114 Walimamdbhai Jusabali Nanji

115 Ibrahimbhai Walji Ladha

116 Ibrahimbhai Salehmamd Kassam Nanji

117 Husseinbhai Mamad Walji

118 Remtallabha Giga Walji

119 Gulamalibha Remtalla Rawji

120 Mohamedali Habib Alarakhia Nanji

121 Husseinalibhai Karim Jina

122 Husseinalibhai Khanmamad Mawji

123 Salehmamadbhai Kasam Nanji

124 Akberalibhai Abdalla Datoo

125 Gulamhussein Moledina Karamsi

126 Karimbhai Hasam Dharsi

127 Abdallabhai Remtalla Ladha Janmamad

128 Raza Hussein Gulamhussein Mulji

129 Kassamalibhai Virji Gangji

130 Aladinbhai Megji Gangji

131 Alibhai Mamad Wela Suratwala

132 Gulamalibhai Ladha Manji Ramji

133 Meherali Anandji Manji

134 Rashidbhai Bandali Versi

135 Aladinbhai Shamji Dharamsi

136 Mamadbhai Jassa

137 Roshanali Sherali Kermali Nanjiani

139 Moosabhai Jaffer Mamad Mistri

140 Gulamhussein Kassamali Damji

141 Haji Manjibhai Haji

142 Hassanbhai Fajal Pardhan

143 Alimamadbhai Moledina Walji

144 Dawoodbhai Gulamhussein Banatwara

145 Dostmohamed Remtulla Khalkdina

146 Fajalbhai Premji Jaffer

147 Kermallibhai Kasam Sivji

148 Haji Mamadbhai Kermali Remtalla

149 Kasambhai Adambhai

(bakeena hawe pachi*) Mumbai Samachar 08.09.1926.

*The balance of the list was never printed by Haji Naji, why? we have no idea.

A Federation That Was Still Born

by Abbas S. Alloo Rahmatullahi Alaih

1940 Zanzibar - 1993 Toronto

Historical review of the the first ever Khoja Shia Ithnasheri Conference held in Kutch Mundra, 7th-9th November, 1933.

Since severing the umbilical cord with the main stream Agha Khani Khojas which propounded Nizari Ismaili faith, the new splinter group Khoja Shia Ithnasheries in India were busily engaged in several fronts to identify, consolidate, and strengthen the infant community. The rivarly and confrontation between original and splinter group was rampant, occasionally violent and very often showed its ugly head in social mercantile activities of both the communities.

The first pressing task of the leader of the Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri community was to establish and widen network of Jamaats and with it Shia mosques, imambadas, and madressas had to be acquired or built. To an acceptable degree this was achieved between 1880 and 1933. While the leadership was still addressing the internal need of the Community on the outer periphery the Indian Congress and Mahatma Gandhi had raised the banner of full independence and the fever for Swaraj swept across the land. Europe and America was on the threshold of the great depression to last until outbreak of World War Two. Nazis were in control of Germany, Hitlerism was in the ascendancy. European leadership was apprehensive of the gathering storm and impending threat of a great war which was to plunge Europe and Japan into devastation previously unknown to mankind.

Under this climate the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri community of India labored with a dream. A dream to establish a federation that would unite the community. Kutchi merchants were in the forefront of mercantile activities in Bombay, Burma, Japan and Africa. Among them the most active and benevolent was Seth Dawood Haji Nasser Mawji.

Below we reproduce translation of the abbreviated report of the Kutch Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Conference as reported by Haji Ladhabhai Valli who was the Chairman of the Conference Reception Committee and reprinted by Rah-e-Najaat, Be-Ghadi Moj Press and Mohib-e-Do-Jahaan. Photocopy of the original and historic copy of the sixteen page report in Gujrati is available from Ukera K. Peera.

All Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Conference was held in Kutch Mundra on 7th-9th November, 1933 (Hijri Rajab 1352 - Kartak Savant 1990) under the Chairmanship of the leading merchant, Seth Haji Dawoodbhai Nasser Mawji who was renowned for his business with Japan, Africa and India.

Fifty two delegates from fourteen centers of Kutch and four invited guests participated. The Chairman and his party which included Seth Ismailbhai Karim Panju, Seth Hashambhai Sachedina, Seth Fazalbhai Bandali, and Seth Ramji Mawjibhai arrived by car from Mandvi at the Jamat center and were received by elders of the Jamaat at the gate.

The Conference session commenced on the 7th November at 3.00 p.m. in the Imambara Kushade Hall donated by Seth Dawoodbhai Haji Nasser Mawji in memory of his late father. The opening session was well attended and the hall was filled with the visitors.

The following represented their respective Jamaats:

Kera: Alidinabhai Moledinabhai, Husseinalibhai Somji, Mamad Dhala, Jaffer Lakhamshi, Ismailbhai Rahim, Hashambhai Jeraj, Abdullabhai Saki Ladha, Ladhubhau Bandali, and Haji Kassambhai Nanji.

Bharapur: Meghjibhai Pradhan

Bhuj: Shahabuddinbhai Alidina, Ahmadbhai Hasham, Ladhabhai Nanji, Abdullabhai Dhala, Salehmohamadbhai Kassam, and Hassanali Ladha Suleman.

Bhadil: Moledinabhai Fazal and Sulemanbhai Jeraj.

Sinugara: Sulemanbhai Hirji.

Nagalpur: Bandalibhai Karim, Kassamali Hirji and Mamadbhai Ladak.

Lakdia: Bachubhai Ladha.

Mandvi: Fajalbhai Jaffer, Jafferbhai Bhanji, Alimohamed Jaffer Khaku, and Husseinbhai Mamd Nanji.

Jarpara: Muljibhai Jagsi, and Mawjibhai Hirji.

Kapaiya: Alidinabhai Haji Remtulla, Ahmedbhai Bhanji, and Fazalbhai Haji Bandali Ramji.

Lakhapur: Hirjibhai Jaffer, and Mamadbhai Bhimji. (Represented by Janmohamed Bhanji).

Samagoga: Mamadbhai Jaffer Visram, and Moledinabhai Rattansi.

Mundra: Dawoodbhai Haji Nasser, Ismailbhai Abdulkarim Panju, Ladhabhai Valli, Janmohamedbhai Premji, Haji Ladhabhai Valli, Haji Janmohamedbhai Premji, Haji Remtullabhai Haji Hameer, Haji Ahmedbhai Khatau, Musabhai Jaffer, Bandalibhai Kassam, Hajibhai Valli. Janmohamedbhai Muman, Gulamhusseinbhai Ismail Kalyan, Gulamhuseinbhai Mamad, Remtullabhai Moledina, Mamadbhai Teja, Sheralibhai Ahmed, and Abdulhusseinbhai Haji Alidina.

Guests from Mumbai: Mawjibhai Virji, Hashambhai Sachedina, Fazalbhai Bandali Ramji, and Raza-ali Dawood Haji Nasser Mawji.

On behalf of Seth Ladhabhai Valli, Conference Reception Committee Chairman, Seth Musabhai Jaffer welcomed the delegates and the guests and drew attention of the Conference of the need of the unity of the community. To achieve economic, social and religious upliftment of the community, he emphasized the need of social and religious reforms and education. To fecilitate education of the students there were community boarding houses in Jamnagar, Mahuva and Rajula, but there was none in Kutch. He therefore appealed to the community to pool its resources to build one.

Seth Dawood Haji Nasser Mawji presided the Conference proposed by Musa Jaffer on behalf of the Chairman of the Conference Committee. The motion was seconded by Seth Bandali Kassam (Mundra) and Seth Hashambhai Jeraj (Kera). In his opening address Seth Dawood Haji Nasser Mawji reemphasized the need to address the question of the education in the community which is prerequisite if the community is to stand in line with other communities.

The opinions of the delegates differed as to this Conference or such conference should be regular feature of the community or should it be a feature only when circumstances dictated. Finally it was resolved that the Conference should be a permanent feature of the community. Also it was resolved to establish a boarding house in Mundra, Kutch. Nagalpur Jamaat offered to channel Rs. 10,000 or the orphanage funds to the boarding house project.

The Conference passed the following resolutions: o1 The Conference shall be known as The Kutch Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Conference. 02 The objective of the Conference shall be to promote unity, economic, religious and social reforms in the community. 03 The Conference shall not entertain any resolution contrary to Sharaa. 04 The Conference shall not participate in any political activity. 05 The Conference shall meet annually. 06 The Chairman will be elected at the Conference by majority of votes. 07-14 Resolutions covered constitution and procedural clauses, and a District Committee comprising 14 members not reprinted here. 15-25 The resolution dealt with procedures and constitutional clauses.

Addressing social reforms the Conference passed ten more resolutions aiming to regulate the reet-rivaaj (traditions and ceremonies) of marriages.

Conference expressed its commitment to the religious education of the community. Seth Dawoodbhai Haji Nasser Mawji offered to meet all expenses for the year and Seth Fazal Bandali Ramji volunteered to pay for the second year. Seth Musabhai Jaffer who was also a Mulla offered services without any remuneration.

Soon after the Conference, the economic and political dynamics took over its toll on the initiative. The Great World Depression showed it fangs causing a multitude of hardships in every corner of the world. India was no exception. Under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi nationalism enveloped the Indian masses. Mumbai and Delhi were the centers of national politics. Community leaders like Seth Dawoodbhai Haji Nasser Mawji, Hassanali P. Ebrahim and Hussein Lalji were sucked into politics. The depression led to World War Two. The community activities were in the doldrums during the war years. At the end of the war, the Indian fight for the independence was at its zenith and it left no scope for other activities. Soon after on the eve of August 14, 1947 Pakistan came into existence and India achieved independence the next day. These were pressing and trying times. Large numbers of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheries opted to migrate to Pakistan. In these flurry of activities spanning a period of ten years the Kutch Conference went into oblivion. Today there is a boarding house in Kutch which found its birth in the said Conference.

The firm of Dawood Haji Nasser & Co., which had substantial export and import activities with Japan suffered a major blow after Japan bombarded Pearl Harbor and entered the Great War. Adding to this Mahatma Gandhi had mobilized the masses to wear only Swadeshi textiles, and consumption of imported textiles dropped drastically. Export to Japan was illegal and impossible. Haji Dawood was concentrating all his talents in consolidating his far flung business in this changing times and he had little time left to devote to other affairs. It goes to the credit of Haji Dawoodbhai inspite of changing times and fortunes his devotion and interest in the community remain undaunted.

Soon after the War the dream of a Federation fermented in overseas soil and Africa Federation was born on 10th October 1945. For all that is said and done, no effort gets lost. It only rests to find a new fertile soil to germinate in and bear fruit.

Ilahi, Behaqqe Aimma-e-Huda (Guided Ones)

Unhe Baqshde Jo Kar gaye Hae Qadha (died).

Rememberence of Fateha or whatever fashion or form of remembrance you do for those who have stepped out of this finite to the infinite world is requested.